Fluidic high pressure hydraulic pulsator

ABSTRACT

A fluidic high pressure hydraulic pulsator including vortex amplification in a power jet stage and vortex shear modulation in a feedback control stage. Discharge from the supply-jet-receiving chamber of a vortex amplifier is made to alternate automatically between its power jet output orifice and a vortex release chamber utilized for vortex shear modulation of the tangentially introduced control jet of such amplifier.

United States Patent [191 Goldschmied Oct. 30, 1973 [54] FLUIDIC HIGHPRESSURE HYDRAULIC 3,692,036 9/1972 Kaufman 137/81.5 U O 3,368,5772/1968 Otsap 137/8l.5

[75] Inventor: Fabio R. Goldschmied, Pittsburgh,

Pa. Primary ExaminerWilliam R. Cline [73] Assignee: WestinghouseElectric Corporation, Attorney-F Henson et Pittsburgh, Pa.

[22] Filed: Apr. 6, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 241,617

A fluidic high pressure hydraulic pulsator including vortexamplification in a power jet stage and vortex [52] US. Cl 137/809,137/810 shear modulation in a feedback control g [51] Ill!- Cl. F1501/16 charge from the pp y j chamber of a V0 {58] Field Of Search137/815, 809, 810, tex amplifier i made to alternate automatically137/811 826 tween its power jet output orifice and a vortex releasechamber utilized for vortex shear modulation of the [56] ReferencesC'ted tangentially introduced control jet of such amplifier.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,520,317 7/1970 Webb.....' 137/815 3 Claims, 5Drawing Figures 1 1 an 5 VENT FlligM SUPPLY so 15b I: I

as BSQ Q 37 POWER POWER JET 1Q JET OUTPUT t OUTPUT PATENTEUUCT 30 I973sum 1 UF 5 CONTROL JET 25 SUPPLY SOURCE OUTPUT 0| BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS The reference numeralsemployed herein coincide This invention relates to a feedback-controlledfluwith those employed to designate similar components idic pulsatorparticularly useful for obtaining hydraulic pulses of relatively highpressure, and flow rate up to thousands of psi. and 25 g.p.m., forexample.

Repetitive high pressure hydraulic pulses are currently beingcontemplated, investigated and/or employed; for fracturing rock, mineralores, etc., as in mining; for agitation of solutions, as in cleaning;for piston-implemented vibratory actuation of hammering and cuttingtools, such as pile drivers, plows, trenchers, etc., as in constructionand earth handling; and for numerous other uses.

Heretofore, insofar as applicant is presently aware, the obtaining ofrepetitive hydraulic pulses of any significant power level have employedmechanical valves, and such valves tend to be bulky and are prone toexperience the usual mechanical wear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The high-pressure high-power hydraulic pulsatorof the present invention, in being purely fluidic in essence of itsoperation, overcomes size and wear limitations inherent in mechanicalvalves, and affords added opportunity for advancement of hydraulicpulsed jet techniques in mining and other fields. In accord with thepresent invention by the employment of the vortex release fluid from avortex amplifier to shear modulate the tangential control jet of suchamplifier, a high gain is realized which is sufiicient to assurerealization of a rapid rate of pulsation of the power jet output of suchamplifier as well as full turn-off of such power jet between pulses, ifdesired.

Further, by utilizing the fluid vortex released from the vortexamplifier for shear modulation of the input control jet for suchamplifier, an extremely compact arrangement of casing components isafforded.

Still further, by controlling the fluid tranmission characteristics ofthe control fluid feedback path to the vortex amplifier, the pulsationrate, hence tum-on and turn-off times of the output pulses, can bealtered to suit particular,operating conditions that may be desired.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent-from the following more detailed invention.

thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings whichillustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention and in single output form;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section view taken along the line Ill-III in FIG.2; 5

FIG. 4 is a transverse section view taken along the line lV-IV in FIG.2; and,

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section view of a dual output pulsatoremploying two integrally joined pulsators of FIG. 2 form connectedback-to-back and cross-coupled control wise to obtain automaticswitching of the power jet output alternately between the two outputs.

disclosed and described in US. Pat. No. 3,520,317 issued to theAdministrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on ashear-modulated vortex amplifier invention of the same inventor as thatof the present invention. Reference may be had to such Patent forfurther understanding of the present invention, as well as to NASATechnical Memorandum TMX- 53539 of Nov. 14, 1966; the present invention,however, was not made under a NASA contract and is not the property ofthe US. Government,

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive, construction and operation of thesingle-output form of the present invention is as follows:

Output from a hydraulic output jet supply source 19 at such as 3,000p.s.i. flows to a circular chamber 33 in a vortex amplifier portion 13by way of supply-jet-input passage means 34 and input port means 35,from which such fluid discharges through an amplifier discharge port 37either axially across a gap 37a into a power jet output orifice 38aligned with such port 37 or radially and circumferentially outward intoa cylindrical vortex release chamber 25 encircling such gap 37a;according to the presence or absence of a significant degree of vortexaction imparted on such fluid flow by a control jet introducedtangentially into chamber 33 via control jet input means 36, includingan annular chamber 36a encircling chamber 33 and a series ofcircumferentially spaced-apart ports 36b opening tangentially inwardinto such chamber 33.

In accord with the present invention, the presence or absence of suchsignificant degree of vortex action in chamber 33 is determined bycorresponding significant degrees of change in vortex flow action in thevortex release chamber 25 by utilizing such action to shearmodulate flowof control jet fluid supplied to the control jet input means 36 via acontrol jet delivery passage 15 and a control-jet-receiving port 30aligned with'a control jet-supply port 29 at the opposite side of a gap27 via which the swirling'fluid in release chamber 25 travels enroute toa return port 31 for release and return to the inlet of pump means (notshown) that furnishes hydraulic fluid under suitable pressure to theoutput jet supply source 19 and to a control jet supply source 17connected to the port 29. The direction of vortex swirl in the releasechamber 25 is opposite to the direction of travel of the control jetstream leaving port 29, so that discharge of fluid from chamber 25greatly .influences the direction of travel of such control jet streamand rapidly deflects it out of registry with receiving port 30 to cutoff or significantly diminish sup ply of control jet fluid to theamplifier chamber 33 via tangential control jet input means 36.

Since significant reduction in control jet input to the vortex amplifierchamber 33 via means 36 results in discharge of amplifier output intopower jet output orifice 38 and cutoff of amplifier output dischargeinto vortex release chamber 25, which in turn calls for increase incontrol jet input to vchamber 33 via means 36, it will be seen that theamplifier device will not operate in any one state, but automaticallyalternates its discharge flow between power jet output orifice 38 andvortex release chamber 25; with either complete or incomplete cutoff atorifice 38 being realized according to operating parameters of thesystem including fluid flow characteristics of the feedback path for thecontrol jet, which may be altered to suit desired operating conditions,such as by controlling its degree of restriction and by addition ofaccumulator chamber means to vary the timing of feedback.

Since modulation of the control jet delivered to amplifier chamber 33via jet receiving port 30 is highly efficient, the rate of automaticpulsating operation of the system can be relatively rapid, if desired,and the turnon and turn-off of each power jet output pulse also can berapid, in effect a square wave pulse shape, rather than sinusoidal,which can be of significance in such hydraulic jet uses as mining wherejet impulse and disintegrating action can be enhanced by such rapidchanges in jet flow.

Referring now to FIG. 5, two pulsator devices similar to that of FIG. 2are connected back-to-back, but instead of connecting the control jetreceiving port 30 of each to its own tangential control jet input means36, the receiving port 30 of one is connected to the control jet inputmeans 36 of the other. By virtue of this arrangement it will be readilyapparent that power jet output can be made to alternate automaticallybetween the two power jet output orifices 38; an arrangement which maybe of advantage in certain uses.

While the foregoing description of the invention has been related to itsuse with hydraulic fluid under pressure it will be apparent that it canfunction also with use of a compressible fluid under pressure.

As illustrated in the several figures of the drawing, numerous chambers,passages, ports, etc. are formed in portions of a casing means to affordstrength for high pressure use, and such portions are suitably dividedto afford necessary fabrication and assembly. A detailed description ofthe precise shapes of such casing portions is not deemed eithernecessary or desirable with respect to an understanding of the presentinvention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A fluidic pulsator comprising, a vortex amplifier means operableduring flow of power fluid under pressure therethrough to discharge suchfluid under pressure alternatively into a power jet output orifice meansor into a vortex release chamber means according to relative propensityfor such flow to travel axially or circumferentially, respectively,

and a vortex shear modulator means operable by vortex fluid underpressure from said vortex release chamber means to effect supply ofcontrol jet fluid under pressure to said vortex amplifier means toimpart circumferential flow characteristics to the flow of power fluidunder pressure passing therethrough in inverse proportion to flow offluid under pressure into said vortex release-chamber means. 2. Afluidic pulsator comprising means defining, a vortex amplifier chambermeans,

an input passage means for introducing fluid under I pressure into saidvortex amplifier chamber means in a manner which encourages axial flowof such fluid under pressure therethrough,

control jet input passage means for introducing control fluid underpressure into said vortex amplifier chamber means in a manner whichencourages circumferential flow of fluid under pressure therein,

an amplifier discharge port means through which fluid under pressure insaid vortex amplifier chamber means discharges,

a power jet output orifice means axially spaced apart from and alignedwith said amplifier discharge port means for receiving fluid underpressure therefrom according to its propensity for axial flow,

a vortex release chamber means coaxial with and encircling the axialseparation region between said power jet output orifice means and saidamplifier discharge port means, to receive flow of fluid under pressurefrom said amplifier discharge port means according to its propensity forradial and circumferential flow due to vortex action imparted by controlfluid flow into said vortex amplifier chamber means,

release passage means opening radially outward from said vortex releasechamber means via which fluid under pressure may escape therefrom,

control jet receiving port means opening transversely into said releasepassage means for availing said control jet input passage means withfluid under pressure,

control jet supply port means opening into said release passage meansoppositely to said control jet receiving port means, whereby a jetstream of fluid under pressure leaving said control jet supply portmeans will be vortex-shearmodulation-deflected by fluid under pressureleaving said vortex release chamber means to control receipt of such jetstream by said control jet receiving port means in inverse proportion toflow of fluid under pressure into such vortex release chamber means.

3. A dual-power-output fluidic pulsator comprising,

two vortex amplifier means operable during flow of power fluid underpressure therethrough to discharge such fluid under pressurealternatively into respective power jet output orifices or into respective vortex release chambers according to the presence or absence of asignificant degree of circumferential swirling action within such powerfluid streams upon exiting said vortex amplifiers,

and two vortex shear modulator means operable by vortex fluid underpressure from said vortex release chambers, respectively, to effectcross-coupled supply of control jet fluid under pressure to said twovortex amplifier means to impart circumferential swirling action to thepower fluid under pressure flowing therethrough in inverse proportion tosuch vortex release chamber means.

1. A fluidic pulsator comprising, a vortex amplifier means operableduring flow of power fluid under pressure therethrough to discharge suchfluid under pressure alternatively into a power jet output orifice meansor into a vortex release chamber means according to relative propensityfor such flow to travel axially or circumferentially, respectively, anda vortex shear modulator means operable by vortex fluid under pressurefrom said vortex release chamber means to effect supply of control jetfluid under pressure to said vortex amplifier means to impartcircumferential flow characteristics to the flow of power fluid underpressure passing therethrough in inverse proportion to flow of fluidunder pressure into said vortex release chamber means.
 2. A fluidicpulsator comprising means defining, a vortex amplifier chamber means, aninput passage means for introducing fluid under pressure into saidvortex amplifier chamber means in a manner which encourages axial flowof such fluid under pressure therethrough, control jet input passagemeans for introducing control fluid under pressure into said vortexamplifier chamber means in a manner which encourages circumferentialflow of fluid under pressure therein, an amplifier discharge port meansthrough which fluid under pressure in said vortex amplifier chambermeans discharges, a power jet output orifice means axially spaced apartfrom and aligned with said amplifier discharge port means for receivingfluid under pressure therefrom according to its propensity for axialflow, a vortex release chamber means coaxial with and encircling theaxial separation region between said power jet output orifice means andsaid amplifier discharge port means, to receive flow of fluid underpressure from said amplifier discharge port means according to itspropensity for radial and circumferential flow due to vortex actionimparted by control fluid flow into said vortex amplifier chamber means,release passage means opening radially outward from said vortex releasechamber means via which fluid under pressure may escape therefrom,control jet receiving port means opening transversely into said releasepassage means for availing said control jet input passage means withfluid under pressure, control jet supply port means opening into saidrelease passage means oppositely to said control jet receiving portmeans, whereby a jet stream of fluid under pressure leaving said controljet supply port means will be vortex-shear-modulation-deflected by fluidunder pressure leaving said vortex release chamber means to controlreceipt of such jet stream by said control jet receiving port means ininverse proportion to flow of fluid under pressure into such vortexrelease chamber means.
 3. A dual-power-output fluidic pulsatorcomprising, two vortex amplifier means operable during flow of powerfluid under pressure therethrough to discharge such fluid under pressurealternatively into respective power jet output orifices or intorespective vortex release chambers according to the presence or absenceof a significant degree of circumferential swirling action within suchpower fluid streams upon exiting said vortex amplifiers, and two vortexshear modulator means operable by vortex fluid under pressure from saidvortex release chambers, respectively, to effect cross-coupled supply ofcontrol jet fluid under pressure to said two vortex amplifier means toimpart circumferential swirling action to the power fluid under pressureflowing therethrough in inverse proportion to such vortex releasechamber flows.